08/31/1999: Sierra Imaging Bundles "Image Expert" With Epson's New PhotoPC 850Z
SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif.--Aug. 31, 1999-- Sierra Imaging, Inc. today announced the inclusion of Image Expert(TM) in Epson's Flexible Software Package bundle on the PhotoPC 850Z camera announced August 30, 1999. Image Expert supports several Epson digital still cameras, including the PhotoPC 750Z and PhotoPC 800. Image Expert imaging software enhances the color and image qualities of digital images, and enables users to communicate complete images. It is a premium application for image acquisition, management and viewing, with phenomenal support for all computing platforms for personal or professional use. With Image Expert, users can easily view and scroll through images and thumbnails, label images, and include comments on top of the image with simple to use tools. Image Expert runs on Windows 95/98/NT, and Mac OS. Image Expert and Image Expert CE 2.0 are also available for sale directly from Sierra Imaging. An electronic download version of Image Expert retails for...[read more]
TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 31 - Ulead Systems today announced that it has signed an OEM deal with Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE: HWP - news). HP will bundle special versions of three Ulead imaging software products with its new HP PhotoSmart C500 and C200 digital cameras and with the recently announced HP PhotoSmart S20 photo scanner. HP will offer PhotoSmart digital-photography customers three software products from Ulead: the award-winning Ulead PhotoImpact, Ulead's flagship image editing software; Ulead COOL 360, Ulead's new immersive imaging software for creating 360 degree panoramic photos; and Photo Explorer, an intuitive tool for visual file browsing, HTML thumbnail output and slide show creation. PhotoImpact 4.2 is Ulead's award-winning image editing solution for on or off the Web, ideal for the Web graphics community, business communicators and photographers alike. Ulead COOL 360 1.0 features a unique 3-step workflow and helpful wizard guide to help users quickly and easily transform...[read more]
08/31/1999: Sharp Announces World's Slimmest and Lightest MiniDV Viewcam Under ,000
MAHWAH, N.J.-- Sharp Electronics Corporation introduced the VL- SD20U, the world's smallest and lightest digital Viewcam camcorder retailing below ,000. It fits in the palm of your hand and boasts a three-inch color LCD viewscreen for incredibly clear and rich video images. With Sharp's unique Digital Gamma Brightness Correction, the VL-SD20U also delivers superb image quality, even in environments with poor lighting. VL-SD20U features: Measures just 6.4" (W) X 3.8" (H) X 2.9" (D) Weighs a mere 1.21 pounds without the battery pack Digital Gamma Brightness Correction 3-inch, low (one percent) light reflectivity color LCD Photo mode using Sharp's Still Frame Technology IEEE-1394 (FireWire)(i-Link) transfer to PC Quick, easy video connections to PCs, TVs and VCRs, with DV, still-image transfer, S-video, Composite video and audio out jacks Long Play/Recording -- the unit offers an extra-long recording time of three hours and 40 minutes-- and up to 50% longer recording time...[read more]
08/31/1999: Vivitar to Ship Digital Camera For Less Than $80
Vivitar Corporation introduced the E-cam, the easy-to-use point- n-shoot digital camera for kids of all ages. The small (4"x3"x1.5,) lightweight E-cam features a focus-free lens and an automatic exposure system. It can store 24 pictures in its internal memory, more than other cameras in its class. The value-priced E-cam will sell for under , making it an ideal first digital camera for kids. The E-cam is powered by a standard 9-volt battery or an AC adapter. It is finished in a stylish translucent blue and has a handy wrist strap. Other features include an optical viewfinder and 10 second self-timer with LED indicator. Pictures may be downloaded to any Windows 95/98 PC through the supplied RS232 serial cable. The E-cam is supplied with the award-winning LivePix Looney Tunes Photo Print Studio photo- editing software from Live Picture, Inc. With an all-star line-up including Bugs Bunny, Tweety Bird and Sylvester, the...[read more]
MELVILLE, N.Y., Aug. 31 -- Seybold San Francisco -- Nikon's newest digital equipment including the new D1 2.74-megapixel professional SLR, the 2.11 megapixel Coolpix 950 and the Super Coolscan 2000 and Coolscan III film scanners are featured at Booth #2125 at Seybold in San Francisco from August 31 to September 2,1999. NIKON D1 2.74-Megapixel Professional SLR camera -- The ideal camera for graphic arts professionals, photojournalists (and every other photo pro), D1 features ultra-fast bootup, a responsive .05 second shutter release lag time, the fastest shooting rate of any digital (4.5 frames per second in bursts of up to 21 consecutive shots) and the synergy, flexibility and accessory interchangeability of Nikon's Total Imaging System. Available late September 1999 and carrying an MSRP of ,580, the D1 features exacting Nikon 3D Matrix Metering (tuned specifically for digital technology) and a high-speed autofocus system that includes Dynamic AF operation. Super Coolscan...[read more]
08/30/1999: HP Introduces Next Generation of PhotoSmart Printers and Digital Cameras
PALO ALTO, Calif.--Aug. 30, 1999-- Hewlett-Packard Company, the worldwide leader in digital imaging, today announced new HP PhotoSmart digital cameras and printers that enable users to capture and print high-quality digital photos directly from their digital cameras, bypassing the PC altogether. The new HP PhotoSmart printers support direct printing from a wide range of digital cameras by accepting input directly from Compact Flash (type I & II) cards, as well as from SmartMedia cards. The new HP PhotoSmart C500 digital camera provides fast, wireless printing using HP's exclusive JetSend infrared technology to send photos directly to the HP PhotoSmart P1000 printer. HP PhotoSmart P1000 printer, expected to sell for an estimated U.S. street price of , is an ideal desktop printer for everyday printing and more. Provides direct printing from many digital cameras, plus wireless printing from the HP PhotoSmart C500 digital camera HP's enhanced color-layering technology, PhotoREt III. 11...[read more]
08/30/1999: DCRP Posts Casio QV-8000SX Review
The DCRP has posted a full Casio QV-8000SX user review of a prerelease camera. This is an interesting 1.3 megapixel camera with a swiveling lens and a whopping 8X optical zoom lens. Jeff had this to say about the QV-8000SX:...[read more]
08/30/1999: Toshiba Reduces Price Of PDR-M4 Two-Megapixel Digital Camera To
IRVINE, CA, September 1, 1999 -- Toshiba Imaging Systems, a leading provider of award-winning digital cameras, today announced it has reduced the price of its popular PDR-M4 two- megapixel digital camera by 15 percent. Previously , the PDR- M4 is now available for an estimated street price of only , making it the most affordable, fully-featured two-megapixel camera on the market. Read Steve's Toshiba PDR-M4 user review here....[read more]
08/30/1999: Epson Announces New Perfection 1200 Scanner Series
TORRANCE, Calif.--Aug. 30, 1999-- Epson America Inc. unveiled the EPSON Perfection(TM) 1200 series of scanners: the EPSON Perfection 1200U, EPSON Perfection 1200S and EPSON Perfection 1200U PHOTO. The new trio of scanners offers high-performance, one-button scanning with a hardware resolution of 1200 x 2400 dpi -- twice the scanning power of conventional 600 dpi scanners. With processing speeds faster than most in their class, the EPSON Perfection 1200 models are ideal for business or graphics use. All three models in the EPSON Perfection 1200 line feature Epson's ColorTrue® II Imaging System -- the skillfully engineered integration of superior hardware, optics and processing -- for premium image quality, amazing detail and incredible color accuracy. The EPSON Perfection 1200 models feature true 1200 dpi optical resolution and a maximum hardware resolution of 1200 x 2400 dpi via Epson's advanced Micro Step Drive(TM) technology. Both the EPSON Perfection 1200U and the EPSON Perfection...[read more]
08/30/1999: Epson Announces New 2MPixel PhotoPC 850Z
TORRANCE, Calif.--Aug. 30, 1999-- Epson America Inc. unveiled its two-megapixel USB zoom digital camera, the PhotoPC® 850Z. Packed with features such as: 2.11 megapixel CCD sensor 3x optical zoom 49mm filter threads for add-on lenses and filters Type I and Type II CompactFlash card slot 2-inch LCD monitor with Solar Assist(TM) panel hot shoe for external flash units Three modes: manual, programmed and fully automatic. Shutter priority and aperture priority Epson's HyPict(TM) image enhancement to 1984 x 1488 pixels built-in microphone and speaker for 10-sec audio notes NiMH batteries and fast charger USB compatibility Epson offers a complete digital photography solution to its customers with two attractive mail-in offers. Customers who purchase any Epson digital camera and any Epson ink jet printer will receive back by mail. In addition, any customer purchasing a PhotoPC 850Z through the end of December 1999 will receive a free package of Epson 4-inch x...[read more]
08/29/1999: Rob Galbraith Posts Nikon D1 Samples and Report From VE '99
Rob Galbraith just got back from a week playing in our heat and humidity at the Visual Edge '99 show in St Petersburg and has posted a firsthand report of the latest encounter with the almost-production version of the Nikon D1. You can read about his D1 experience and see actual Nikon D1 sample images by visiting his web site....[read more]
08/27/1999: Lexar JumpSHOT CF Card Review Posted
I have just posted my user review of the new Lexar JumpSHOT CompactFlash cards with the builtin USB controller and low-cost desktop connection kit. This is going to be a real winner and will eliminate the need for USB support in the camera as it will be supplied by the CF card instead....[read more]
08/27/1999: Web-based Digital Photo Finishing from PRINTROOM.COM
PrintRoom.com announces immediate availability of its new integrated on-line photo finishing and sharing services for digital photographers. The unprecedented combination of ease-of-use, low cost and high quality of output delivered by PrintRoom.com, brings the promise of convenient and affordable digital photography to reality. The features include: The highest quality digital photo printing at the lowest prices anywhere. The real photos are produced using the same silver halide photo process as regular 35mm photographs. Image quality, durability and resistance to fading of these photographs are far superior to those produced with ink-jet or dye-sublimation printers. Free memberships with free on-line album space and discounts on photo finishing services. PrintRoom.com members can use their on-line albums to store their images and to quickly share them with friends and family members around the world. The affordable photo finishing services are available to members and non-members alike. Simple, yet powerful interface allows users to...[read more]
08/27/1999: Kodak Posts 5.7.0 Host Software for DCSx, EOSx & NC2000 Professional Cameras
Owners or users of Kodak DCSx, EOSx & NC2000 Professional cameras can now download the latest version of the Host Software which includes the DCS Acquire Module 5.7.0 and the DCS TWAIN Data Source 5.7.0. These new files can be downloaded from this Kodak web page. New Features of v5.7.0: DCS 330 camera support Sharpening support for images captured with DCS 330, DCS 5XX, and DCS 6XX cameras Three levels of sharpening for images captured with cameras supporting sharpening Noise reduction on images captured with DCS 330, DCS 5XX, and DCS 6XX cameras Improved "Copy as JPEG" performance on MMX enabled Windows systems Exposure compensation persistence on images from DCS 5XX and DCS 6XX cameras Remote camera properties support on IEEE 1394 camera models Improved support for Macintosh G3 systems (DCS Acquire Module only)...[read more]
08/27/1999: Canon Makes The S10 Official and Announces New CD-300 Dye Sub Printer
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., Aug. 27 -- Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in optical and imaging technology, today announced the PowerShot S10, a 2.1 megapixel digital camera that combines the benefits of digital imaging with features and functions traditionally found only in conventional 35mm cameras. This latest addition to Canon's line of PowerShot digital cameras enters the market as the smallest and lightest 2.1 megapixel camera with a zoom lens. Canon also announced a new digital printer for output of high-resolution, borderless, 4x6-inch prints. PowerShot S10 features: 1/2-inch, 2.1 megapixel CCD sensor 1600x1200 pixel (Large mode), 1280x960 (Medium mode), and 800x600 (Small mode) 35-70mm f/2.8-4 all-glass aspherical lens Dual interface to connect directly to USB or RS-232C serial Newly designed GUI menu system Type I and Type II CompactFlash slots Sturdy all-metal body Image Selection Mode button on back of the camera accesses the five IMAGE modes -- slow-speed shutter, high-speed...[read more]
ELMSFORD, NY, August 26, 1999 - Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. today unveiled the new pocketable 1.5 megapixel MX-1700 ZOOM. Similar in size and design to its MX-700 and MX-2700 predecessors, the MX-1700 ZOOM has an improved 1.5-million pixel CCD with RGB color filters along with a newly crafted all-glass, miniature aspherical zoom lens. The results of these features are outstanding image quality and superb color reproduction, both hallmarks of Fujifilm digital cameras. The MX-1700 ZOOM will be the first digital camera of its kind to have an all-glass aspherical zoom lens. Fujifilm manufactures the lens via a revolutionary glass injection mold process that enables the company to produce the lens en masse. With this specially-developed aspherical zoom lens the MX-1700 ZOOM will deliver pin-point image sharpness and improved optical quality while eliminating aberrations, vignetting, and light fall-off. The Fujifilm MX-1700 will carry a suggested retail price of when...[read more]
08/26/1999: iView Multimedia 3.7 For Macintosh Released
iView Multimedia 3.7 has a host of improvements like the ability to play sounds in the background of a slideshow, an applescript menu, support for JacqCAD format, improved EPS support and more. Also iView Multimedia now comes in German, French and Italian flavors. iView Multimedia is a professional digital asset management system. It can be used to catalog/display all these files, Quark, Canvas, Painter, Live Picture, Freehand, PageMaker, Illustrator, gif, jpg, TIFF, PICT, GX, BMP, Targa, EPS, fonts, sounds, movies, QuickTime VR, animation, MPEG, PNG, Photoshop, MIDI, karaoke, Electric Image and Electronic Arts, and many others. Used by pros in a demanding publishing environment because it follows international standards, it's Photoshop compatible, is extremely fast, powerful, stable and has great color precision. At the same time it is not just for pros because it is fun, inexpensive, practical and easy to use for anyone with a Macintosh. Up to 8000...[read more]
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--Aug. 25, 1999-- Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., best known by its Panasonic brand name, SanDisk Corporation and Toshiba Corporation have reached an agreement on comprehensive collaboration to jointly develop, specify and widely promote a next generation secure memory card. The global market is growing rapidly for flash-memory based removable storage cards. These cards provide a compact, reliable, and easy-to-use medium to store high volumes of visual, audio and other data for digital music players and cameras, personal digital assistants (PDAs), video cameras, cellular phones and other digital consumer electronics products. Several major formats including SmartMedia(TM), CompactFlash(TM) and MultiMediaCard are gaining solid support as leading media to meet these requirements. The agreement announced today is aimed to jointly develop a small size, high speed read/write next generation memory card capable of providing a high level of copy protection for music, movies and other artistic and commercial content. Each...[read more]
08/25/1999: TawbaWare Releases Significantly Upgraded Thumber
One of the more popular shareware programs for digicam users has just been significantly improved. Thumber v3.03 from TawbaWare has had many major enhancements made to it during August such as: Ability to generate thumbnails (of any size) from any JPG file, including those without embedded thumbnails. Thumber can now create web pages and thumbnails from any JPG files, including "rotated" thumbnails for images that have been rotated Added ability to create resized versions of the original images when making web pages. Image can be resized to specified dimensions (in pixels) or a specified percentage of original image. Added "Create master index web page" option. This creates an HTML index page with links to all thumbnail pages generated in subdirectories. Added ability to 'mark' images individually as they are viewed, and then build a web page (and/or extract thumbnails) using these marked images. Added ability to update file time/date stamp...[read more]
08/24/1999: Olympus Announces New 2.5MPixel C-2500L Professional SLR
...[read more]
08/24/1999: Olympus Announces New 1.3MPixel D-450Zoom Camera
Today must be Olympus day -- They have also announced a new D-450Zoom camera. Housed in a stylish champagne gold metallic compact point & shoot body, the Olympus D-450 Zoom offers a 1.3 megapixel resolution CCD and 3X optical zoom lens at an outstanding value. New significant features include: faster shot-to-shot performance; 2 frames per second burst mode; improved ISO ratings; a new LCD display with easy viewing even in bright light and from any angle; and improved flash range with slow synchronization flash. The D-450 Zoom includes advanced photographic controls, including four levels of recording images (Standard Quality at 640 x 480 with standard compression; High Quality at 1280 x 960 with standard compression; Super High Quality mode at 1280 x 960 with minimal compression; and Uncompressed TIFF File). Photos are saved as industry standard DCF/EXIF, JPEG, or TIFF files, which are easily viewed in most image-editing software and...[read more]
...[read more]
08/23/1999: Sony Announces DCR-PC100 Digital Camcorder, First To Offer Megapixel-Size Still Images
PARK RIDGE, N.J., Aug. 23 -- Sony Electronics announced today the compact DCR-PC100 mini Digital Video Handycam® camcorder -- the first camcorder with mega-pixel digital still and video imaging capabilities. This new digital Handycam camcorder combines best-in-class digital video, capable of delivering up to 520 lines of resolution, with digital still mega- pixel resolution, and Memory Stick(TM) removable storage, in a unit about the size of a Walkman® personal stereo. Unlike any other consumer video camera on the market, the DCR-PC100 has the ability to capture still images at 1152 x 864 pixels -- more than three times the resolution of other digital video camcorders. The DCR-PC100 is small and lightweight at just 2-1/2" x 5" x 4-7/8" and 1 pound, 3 oz. Its vertical design fits comfortably in users' hands making it easy to hold and to take anywhere. It also delivers Sony Worry- Free(TM) features including: InfoLithium®...[read more]
08/21/1999: Ricoh Posts USB Drivers For Win98 OSR2
This driver fixes all known problems with RDC-5000 digital cameras not being recognized properly under Windows 98 Second Edition. Install the files to their own folder. Read the "readme" files for direction on how to remove your existing RDC-5000 USB drivers prior to installing these new drivers. This update is not required if your camera's USB is operating properly or if you do not have Windows 98 Second Edition. Download the RDC-5000USB drivers for Windows 98 Second Edition....[read more]
08/20/1999: digitalkamera.de Sponsors An Online Panorama Tutorial And Contest
digitalkamera.de is presenting their Panorama Worskshop, a three-part online tutorial in how-to take good panorama pictures with today's digicams. A new tutorial will be posted on their site every two weeks. At the end of the tutorial, digitalkamera.de will be holding a contest for the best panoramas and the author of the picture that is deemed the *winner* will win a brand new Canon A50 zoom camera....[read more]
08/18/1999: Sony MemoryStick Modules Now Up To 64MB Capacity
Thanks to one of our readers for pointing me to Sony's MemoryStick page where they show them available in 4, 8, 16 and 32MB sizes. And thanks to frequent Message Board contributor Hiroyuki for pointing me to the 64MB MemoryStick which will be sold on 11/21/99 in Japan at 20000yen....[read more]
08/17/1999: Sony Announces DSC-D770 CyberShot Pro Digital Still Camera
PARK RIDGE, N.J., Aug. 17 -- Sony Electronics Inc. today announced Cyber-shot Pro digital still camera, a full-featured mega-pixel digital still camera at a breakthrough price for professional-grade cameras. Available now, the new digital camera, model DSC-D770, incorporates performance features found only in a professional single-lens-reflex (SLR) camera, but at a suggested retail price of ,999. Key features of the Cyber-shot Pro camera include: Five times manual optical zoom lens with manual focus; Optical, through-lens-viewfinder with 2.5" LCD; Wide variety of manual operations, to meet professionals' needs, such as exposure control and manual focus ring to allow a more accurate feel; Progressive scan half-inch 1.5 million-pixel CCD with up to 1344 x 1024 image resolution; A histogram function that allows users to check the distribution of brightness levels once a picture is taken in the LCD or on a video monitor; A guide line function with top and bottom markers...[read more]
08/17/1999: FujiFilm Ships New MX-2900 Zoom
ELMSFORD, NY--Aug. 17, 1999-- Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. is now shipping to retailers nationwide the new Fujifilm MX-2900 ZOOM, the company's latest digital offering with more than two million pixels. Designed with advanced amateur shutterbugs in mind, the MX-2900 ZOOM offers users a wealth of advanced photographic features and controls, such as a hot shoe for an external flash and a lens barrel that accepts optional 43mm filters and 28mm wide-angle attachments. Adding to the camera's appeal is a high-grade and attractive magnesium alloy body that mirrors the traditional look and feel of a 35mm SLR camera while showcasing the MX-2900 ZOOM's progressive digital attributes. The MX-2900 ZOOM uses its impressive 2.3 million-pixel CCD sensor and distinctive RGB filters to capture richly colored 1,800 x 1,200 images. For an up-close feel - without compromising clarity -- the MX-2900 is equipped with a special Fujinon 3x optical zoom lens...[read more]
08/17/1999: digitalkamera.de Puts The Olympus C-2000Z In Their Test Lab
The digitalkamera.de web site put the Olympus C-2000Z in their Test Lab and had this to say about it: "In the studio, in fact, the camera performed extremely well. Although the tripod thread is plastic, it is sufficiently strong and is well positioned in the middle of the camera base. Mounted on a tripod, only the battery compartment on the bottom is hidden, all sockets and - very importantly - the slot for the SmartMedia card remain easily accessible. This means you can remove the memory card once you have taken a few trial shots, so that you can read them with a card reader or floppy adapter in order to check the results on the screen." Follow the link above to read their entire Test Lab report....[read more]
08/17/1999: Panasonic Announces New NV-MPX5 Printer
Somehow we missed this one but the Imaging-Resource didn't. Panasonic has announced a new NV-MPX5 dye sublimation printer to be available September 1st. It accepts MultiMediaCards (the format used in Panasonic video cameras) and can handle images up to 3072 x 2048 pixels (6 megapixel) in size. Images are resized to a maximum of 1024 x 1450 pixels in the unit, and printed at a resolution of 306 dpi. The printer can also be connected to a PC, or can capture still images from video signals, and has titling and calendar capabilities....[read more]
08/15/1999: Nikon Announces New NP-200 Dye Sub Printer
Found on the Nikon Japan web site is this press release for the new Nikon NP-200 printer. Running the Japanese text through my Typhoon translater yielded the following specs: 306 dpi dye sublimation PCMCIA Type II card slot 14 types of frames/borders S-video input Video output JPEG and TIFF images DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compliant Input image size from 320x240 to 3072x2048 Serial port connection to PCs and Mac The NP-200 is scheduled for September delivery in Japan at a price of 62,000 Yen ( USD)....[read more]
08/15/1999: Nikon 900 Photo-Documents KPFA-Free Speech Radio Troubles
I received the following email from Susan Druding and thought it would be of interest to the readers to see a digicam being used for serious photojournalism....[read more]
08/12/1999: Kodak Announces New Products
As expected Kodak has announced a new DC 215 Zoom and a DC 280 along with a surprise entry, the new DC 290 digital camera. And a new video conferencing DVC-325 camera as well. KODAK DC215 Zoom 2X optical zoom gets you closer to your subject without losing optical quality Megapixel resolution (1152 x 864) with enough detail for vivid, photo-realistic 5" x 7" prints Unique, metal-skinned body 1.8" color LCD that lets you preview and review your pictures so you get only the shots you want New convenient, compact design fits in your shirt pocket Improved power management system extends battery life Award-winning interface that is easy to learn and use KODAK DC280 Zoom Two-megapixel resolution (1760 x 1168) with enough detail for razor-sharp, photo-realistic 8" x 10" prints Quick, responsive performance?no waiting Familiar, "camera-like" design, controls and feel USB connectivity for downloads that are up to 10X faster...[read more]
08/11/1999: Kodak DCS 620 User Review Posted
The fine folks at Kodak loaned me one of their Professional DCS 620 camera for evaluation and review. I have just posted my Kodak DCS 620 User Review and have a good start on a sample pictures page with more to come, including using it in a pro studio with pro strobes and lighting....[read more]
08/11/1999: IBM 340MB Microdrive Review Posted
I just got done posting my IBM 340MB Microdrive User Review online and it's a winner! It's small, it's quiet and it's fast! This is what most of us Canon Pro 70 owners have been waiting for -- enough storage space to shoot in CCDRaw mode all day! It's a winner in the Kodak Professional DCS 620 camera too! Compare for yourself - it's over four times more capacity than the SanDisk 80MB CompactFlash card and it's the same capacity as the much larger Viper Type III hard drive card. Click here to buy your IBM Microdrive at d-store...[read more]
PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 10 -- iMove(TM) Photo Panorama software incorporates innovative editing tools to stitch together and accurately align multiple photographs used to create high-resolution cylindrical and spherical panoramas. These proprietary tools, designed for professional photographers and content developers, let users specify opacity, focal length and horizon; adjust artifacts using control points; and determine image-layering priority. The iMove software license allows photographers to create unlimited numbers of panoramas without royalties. Kaidan, the leading manufacturer and supplier of photographic VR solutions, worked with iMove to jointly develop and market the iMove Photo Panorama Solution. It is the only product on the market that enables the creation of spherical panoramas from conventional film or digital cameras and non-fisheye lenses. The iMove Photo Panorama software allows users to zoom in and out and rotate within the panorama. Multimedia authors can add sound, video and descriptive files or link panoramas together using the included...[read more]
08/10/1999: PC Watch Posts Casio QV-8000SX Review
PC Watch has posted a user review and sample pics from the soon to be released Casio QV-8000SX camera. The pics speak for themselves but if you don't read Kanji then head on over to the Imaging-Resource's News page for a translation of what the reviewer had to say about the new Casio....[read more]
08/10/1999: Nikon 950 Firmware 1.1 for Windows Now Available
Looks as if Nikon finally got the problems worked out as the Nikon 950 Firmware 1.1 for Windows/NTSC has finally been posted for download on the U.S. website. PLEASE READ ALL OF THE WARNINGS ON THE PAGE BEFORE USING THE UPDATE UTILITY! European users with the PAL version should go to the Nikon's European support site. Do *not* install the NTSC version of the firmware or your camera will become a doorstop!...[read more]
08/09/1999: Enroute Imaging Announces QuickStitch 2.0
PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 9 -- Enroute Imaging, the award-winning creator of innovative digital imaging technologies, today announced QuickStitch 2.0 stitching software which creates wide-screen panoramic photos from a series of scanned or digital images without the need for special lenses. QuickStitch 2.0 is the only panorama software to simultaneously stitch images bi-directionally (horizontally and vertically) for stunning wide-screen panoramas. It is also the easiest stitching software to learn and use with one click automatic results. Once a series of overlapping photos is loaded onto a desktop computer from a digital camera or scanner, Enroute's QuickStitch then automatically joins them together to form a larger horizontal and/or vertical panoramic image. New features now in QuickStitch 2.0 include increased output to 6 megapixels for larger images; multi-page print spanning, which allows panoramas to be spanned across multiple output pages for large print outs; QTVR output support for web sites; the ability...[read more]
08/09/1999: Qimage Pro v6.0 Now Features Seven Interpolation Filters
We might as well make this a sweep for what is fast becoming "software day" here on the News page with the announcement of the release of Qimage Pro v6.0. Mike Chaney just keeps making this program better and better and the latest version now has a total of seven interpolation filters for the user to select from. These filters include Pixel Resize, Lanczos, Hermite, Triangle, Mitchell, Bell and Bicubic Spline. And you can batch resize using any of these filters. As with all Qimage Pro filters, they can be applied either [1] only at print time leaving the original image(s) unaltered or [2] you can create a new image file (GIF, TIF, JPG or BMP format). Mike has also made the thumbnail generation a "background process" now....[read more]
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.--Aug. 9, 1999-- Jasc Software, a pioneer in the Windows graphics-and-multimedia market, Monday announced the release of Paint Shop Pro 6, the complete solution for creating Web graphics and enhancing digital images. Paint Shop Pro 6 also features a new version of Jasc's popular animation program, Animation Shop 2. Specifically designed to meet the needs of both Web designers and advanced consumers, Jasc's award-winning Paint Shop Pro continues to provide advanced functionality at a low price. Paint Shop Pro 6 includes many new, powerful design and editing tools for creating Web sites and enhancing digital images. Key features include: Direct support for more than 120 digital cameras Enhanced Browser for more-powerful image management Digital watermarking for embedding copyright information Vector tools and layers for enhanced drawing capabilities Editable text and ability to place text on a path Multicolor Gradient tool for creating and saving custom gradients Interface enhancements,...[read more]
08/07/1999: Chip Shop Report: Nikon D1
Thanks to one of our readers for pointing me to the EPI Centre web site and John Henshall's Chip Shop Report on the Nikon D1. It's been too long since my last visit to this fine web site, check out their camera reviews index after reading through the Nikon D1 article. John seems to be quite taken with the D1 and has this to say: "The D1 is already having a profound effect on the market. There may even be casualties. Sales of digital SLRs are in a state of limbo -- or is it a state of shock? -- waiting for the D1 to deliver. Kodak will not take the Nikon D1 lying down. We expect to see some real action from that quarter in the coming months. The competition will be good for everyone." And speaking of being taken by a camera ... I currently have a...[read more]
08/04/1999: Olympus, Sanyo, Hitachi Maxell Unveil MO Disks for Digital Cameras
The following is from Asia BizTech News July 30, 1999 (TOKYO) -- Olympus Optical Co., Ltd., Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. and Hitachi Maxell Ltd. unveiled newly developed 50mm-diameter magneto-optical (MO) disks to serve as recording media for digital cameras. The products comply with the "iD Format" standard, and each has a capacity of 730MB. The three companies intend to commercialize the disks in about a year. Kyocera Corp., Konica Corp., Nikon Corp., Minolta Co., Ltd. and Ricoh Co., Ltd. have already expressed support for the iD Format which can record about 1,800 still photos, equivalent to 2 million pixels (about 400KB). In the case of animation films of 30 frames/second, it can record about 20 minutes of such film (320 x 240 dots). Also, the disk can support overwrite capabilities. Olympus aims to further boost the capacity. To do that, it is considering a move to apply the magnetic amplifying...[read more]
08/01/1999: Sanyo's VPC-500SX Goes With CompactFlash
According to a digitalkamera.de news article, the new Sanyo VPC-500SX will be using CompactFlash cards unlike all their other cameras that use SmartMedia. They have pictures of the new Sanyo camera and also the Sanyo DMA-100 which we reported on a month or so ago, it's a set top box that reads SmartMedia, CompactFlash and has a CD-Recorder builtin, outputs to the TV and includes a remote control....[read more]
08/01/1999: Toshiba's New SD-R1002 Drive Combines DVD-ROM and CD-RW
According to a Toshiba press release the company is bringing a combination DVD-ROM and CD-RW drive with an ATAPI interface to the market in September for a MSRP of . The Disk Products Division of Toshiba America Electronic Components (TAEC), continues to be at the forefront of optical storage innovation with the introduction of the first CD-RW drive with DVD-ROM readability. The first drive to combine these two technologies, the SD-R1002 drive is the ideal upgrade product, providing the rewritability of a CD-RW drive with the high-capacity storage of DVD-ROM. Because of its backward compatibility and low cost media, the SD-R1002 drive also provides customers with a sound investment and an effortless transition from CD to DVD....[read more]
